(CNN) - Responding to Wednesday's Supreme Court ruling giving historic wins to same sex marriage supporters, President Barack Obama released the following statement:

"I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act. This was discrimination enshrined in law. It treated loving, committed gay and lesbian couples as a separate and lesser class of people. The Supreme Court has righted that wrong, and our country is better off for it. We are a people who declared that we are all created equal – and the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.

This ruling is a victory for couples who have long fought for equal treatment under the law; for children whose parents’ marriages will now be recognized, rightly, as legitimate; for families that, at long last, will get the respect and protection they deserve; and for friends and supporters who have wanted nothing more than to see their loved ones treated fairly and have worked hard to persuade their nation to change for the better.

So we welcome today’s decision, and I’ve directed the Attorney General to work with other members of my Cabinet to review all relevant federal statutes to ensure this decision, including its implications for Federal benefits and obligations, is implemented swiftly and smoothly.

On an issue as sensitive as this, knowing that Americans hold a wide range of views based on deeply held beliefs, maintaining our nation’s commitment to religious freedom is also vital. How religious institutions define and consecrate marriage has always been up to those institutions. Nothing about this decision – which applies only to civil marriages – changes that.

The laws of our land are catching up to the fundamental truth that millions of Americans hold in our hearts: when all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more free."

soundoff(160 Responses)

He has flip-flopped on this issue for years. The only reason he went for it was for more democrat votes. He could care less about gay people and their rights.

June 26, 2013 03:09 pm at 3:09 pm |

The Real Tom Paine

-Samuel

Sad Day in American History.
What is sown will be reaped. What is against God's command will be reaped heavily by this country. God have mercy on the faithful and true who stand true to your word. For the rest who are celebrating including Obama, you will answer God's wrath. In front of God all are equal and we will all be judged not according to the ways we create new laws but according to the laws already established. I pray that more people will turn back.
*******************
One question: when God tries to vote in the Democratic primary, what form of ID will you accept, or will you deny him his right to vote? You do know that God is a Democrat, right?

June 26, 2013 03:12 pm at 3:12 pm |

omg

Obama said " we are all created equal – and the love we commit to one another must be equal as well" , does that mean siblings can marry each others, or a dad can marry his son !!!!!!!!! dont you guys feel there is something wrong and against nature ????

June 26, 2013 03:18 pm at 3:18 pm |

Me

rhb

"LOL you call repubs bigots and make fun of Romney for being a Mormon in the same post, wow!!!! SUCH HYPOCRISY and yes you liberals are full of hate and bigotry through and through!!!! YOU are obliviously completely ignorant of the Mormon church which does not believe in polygamy and has not for well over a hundred years or so!!!! You should educate yourself before sounded like a 5 year old child (or at least a person with the education of a 5 year old child!)!"

you do realize they weren't making fun of him for being mormon, rather than pointing out the irony of the OP using polygamy in negative connotation, while it being a fact that mormons believe in polygamy.

reading comprehension, use it.
_____________________________

Ummm NO they do not, I grew up in the religion (for 16 years) and they have NOT believed in it for over a HUNDRED years so YOU might need to use some "reading comprehension" when researching this religion!!! I am no longer active but my enitre family is so trust me I KNOW what I am talking about!! And that is a load of BS you know and I know he was bashing Romney!!!!

June 26, 2013 03:18 pm at 3:18 pm |

California

The Real Tom Paine

-Samuel

Sad Day in American History.
What is sown will be reaped. What is against God's command will be reaped heavily by this country. God have mercy on the faithful and true who stand true to your word. For the rest who are celebrating including Obama, you will answer God's wrath. In front of God all are equal and we will all be judged not according to the ways we create new laws but according to the laws already established. I pray that more people will turn back.
*******************
One question: when God tries to vote in the Democratic primary, what form of ID will you accept, or will you deny him his right to vote? You do know that God is a Democrat, right?
----
Yeah and I'm sure you hae Harry Reid type proof of that one, RIGHT?!?!?! HA HA HA.

June 26, 2013 03:20 pm at 3:20 pm |

jger

The Obama apologists are out in force everywhere aren't they? The comments on here are mostly ignorant, on both sides, as usual. I can't understand what is wrong with allowing GLBT people to have equality. Likewise I don't know why anyone thinks this president had anything to do with it. Remember, he was against it before he was for it....that's what you call political expediency. It doesn't take a lot of courage to come out in favor of gay marriage after the majority of Americans are in favor of it. Where was he on this issue 5 years ago? I applaud the court's decision, but I'd still like my vote for Obama back.

June 26, 2013 03:20 pm at 3:20 pm |

The Real Tom Paine

-California

Liberal bigots hating polygamists. The hypocrisy is astounding.
*******************
Conservatives hating everyone, including each other: the consistency is astounding. I guess hating is easier when you insist on seeing everything through ideological blinders, but hey, at least you can get back to seeing what's on cable.

June 26, 2013 03:22 pm at 3:22 pm |

The Real Tom Paine

-imhem

The Liar in Chief was morally and intellectually against gay marriage just 18 months ago. What a creep this guy is.talking about discrimination as the only reason for being in favor of marriage between a man and a woman.
**************
So, how do you feel about Mark Kirk, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski? Explain their change in position. If you want to talk about being a creep, how about Larry Mehlman, the former head of the RNC?

June 26, 2013 03:24 pm at 3:24 pm |

The Real Tom Paine

-freedom

He has flip-flopped on this issue for years. The only reason he went for it was for more democrat votes. He could care less about gay people and their rights.
********************
So, how do you feel about Mark Kirk, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski? Explain their change in position. If you want to talk about being a creep, how about Larry Mehlman, the former head of the RNC? His self-loathing is almost as deep-seated as your own.

June 26, 2013 03:25 pm at 3:25 pm |

Jay Jay

Hello USA from the UK.

Very well done to you all on this elightened move.

Reading the rage-posts from the Biggot Team has been pleasing and a lot of fun. I'd say they're heading the way of the dinosaur – but since the majority don't beleive in evolution – well let's just let it creep up on them and clear the decks.

Good luck to everyone!! Well done again!

June 26, 2013 03:26 pm at 3:26 pm |

Me

@The Real Tom Paine
that is no different then any other person remarrying when their spouse died!!! I am not sure where you get most of the information that you presented but it is pretty much all false!!! As I stated before I was a member for 16 years and nothing you said is true. You are probably reading opinion in your research and not true facts!!! The Mormons were DRIVEN out of nauvoo IL, they were seaching somewhere that would not persecute them, NOT trying to create a "seperate Mormon nation called " Deseret"", your ignorance of facts shows!!! Unless you were part of the religion and learned all the FACTS about them you probably shouldn't try and pass your OPINIONS off as facts!!! I do not agree with the religion, hence why I am not a member but I will not bash them with a bunch of false statements like you have!

June 26, 2013 03:27 pm at 3:27 pm |

Chepelondio

I hope that once he passes to the other side that he goes to hell and I truly hope that God shows him right of wrong.

June 26, 2013 03:29 pm at 3:29 pm |

sly

These are great times for America.

President Obama killed America's #1 enemy of all time, and ended the 2 Bush Oil Wells. We are free from major terrorist attacks. We have Health Care for 40 MILLION people who did not qualify – so we were basically a third-world-nation until then.

Our stock market is soaring to 17,000. We will finally have immigration reform.

Thank you President Obama – you will go down in history as one of the great ones.

June 26, 2013 03:30 pm at 3:30 pm |

imhem

This ruling just makes a mockery of marriage. Is there any reason why laws against polygamy should be upheld?

June 26, 2013 03:36 pm at 3:36 pm |

California

imhem

This ruling just makes a mockery of marriage. Is there any reason why laws against polygamy should be upheld?
--
None at all.

June 26, 2013 03:43 pm at 3:43 pm |

Jeb Bush

Dear hateful christian bigots,

This verdict can only mean that your God has abandoned you. Why else would he have allowed this to happen?

June 26, 2013 03:44 pm at 3:44 pm |

Fred

It's interesting that the only people here arguing for polygamy, incest, and bestiality are the Christian bigots who are against gay marriage.

June 26, 2013 03:46 pm at 3:46 pm |

The Real Tom Paine

-California

The Real Tom Paine

-Samuel

Sad Day in American History.
What is sown will be reaped. What is against God's command will be reaped heavily by this country. God have mercy on the faithful and true who stand true to your word. For the rest who are celebrating including Obama, you will answer God's wrath. In front of God all are equal and we will all be judged not according to the ways we create new laws but according to the laws already established. I pray that more people will turn back.
*******************
One question: when God tries to vote in the Democratic primary, what form of ID will you accept, or will you deny him his right to vote? You do know that God is a Democrat, right?
--
Yeah and I'm sure you hae Harry Reid type proof of that one, RIGHT?!?!?! HA HA HA.
**********
Sorry junior: unlike yourself, I don't regurgitate whatever talking points Uncle Rupert's propaganda machine ( or the liberal equivilent thereof) throws at me that morning. By the way, its "have", not " hae": proof-read your own posts.

June 26, 2013 03:53 pm at 3:53 pm |

Guest

President Phoney – changes his mind for self preservation at the expense the ignorant voters of the dumbocratic party.

June 26, 2013 03:53 pm at 3:53 pm |

Steveo

@Chepelondio

I hope that once he passes to the other side that he goes to hell and I truly hope that God shows him right of wrong.
---------–
Kinda harsh there. We should never wish Hell on anyone!

June 26, 2013 03:54 pm at 3:54 pm |

Abbey

Signed into law by one Bill Clinton. Now who thinks politicians aren't fickle?

June 26, 2013 03:56 pm at 3:56 pm |

Steveo

@Jeb Bush

Dear hateful christian bigots,

This verdict can only mean that your God has abandoned you. Why else would he have allowed this to happen?
---------------
Negative! God has not abandoned us. What you don't understand is the concept of "Free Will".

June 26, 2013 03:58 pm at 3:58 pm |

Anonymous

Obama "I was against it, before I was for it."

June 26, 2013 03:58 pm at 3:58 pm |

Dano

It is sad that this county has begun to reward bad behavior (males on males and females on females). Perhaps Mother Nature will help handle the problem.